Christian Living
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead". ( Philippians 3:13)
I don't know about you but the older I get the more I tend to look back on life. And I seem to remember the long-past events more than I do the most recent ones.
I remember, as a teen-ager, Standing on the
street corner, in a Salvation Army Open Air Meeting and testifying for the Lord. My remarks centered around :
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain". ( Philippians 1:21)
Now that I look back, I don't feel that verse really meant as much then, as it does now, many retirement years hence.
In my testimony, I gave several analogies such as many live for fame, many live for wealth, many live for prestige, etc, but I am living for Christ and I'm glad Christ lives in me. You see:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me". ( Galatians 2:20).
Oh, I've not always lived for Christ, as I should, down through the years. Looking back, I wonder just how God had so much time for all the others, while spending so much time keeping me straight. I'm so thankful that God's free grace not only saves a person:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast". ( Ephesians 2:8-9) .
But His free grace keeps and satisfies keep us, once we come to him for the forgiveness of our sins.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." ( Titus 2:11-14)
So beloved, regardless of your age in life, regardless of your position in life, or regardless of your future human outlook on life, don't just sit back in that old easy chair and sour. Get busy and work for the Lord, for the night will come when no man can work.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” ( Isaiah 6:8)
And never ever lose heart as you "grow wiser". You notice, I failed to say " as you grow older". Nowhere in the Bible, does it instruct a Christian to retire. You see, retirement is just a secular human felicity, The only way to be happy, is to be happy in the Lord.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". ( 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Looking back over my life I can see where I caused you strife But I know, oh yes I know I'd never make that same mistake again
Looking back over my deeds I can see signs a wise man heeds And if I just had the chance I'd never make that same mistake again
Once my cup was overflowing But I gave nothing in return Now I can't begin to tell you What a lesson I have learned
Looking back over the slate I can see love turned to hate But I know, oh yes I know I'd never make that same mistake again (Nat King Cole)
I'm not sure if the writer of this old tune meant it to be scripture but it certainly has some religious connotations.
So remember !
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up:. ( Galatians 6:9).
Yes beloved, never grow old in Jesus.
COME ON NOW SING THIS OLD TUNE WITH ME.
I have heard of a land on a far away strand 'Tis a beautiful home of the soul Built by Jesus on high, where we never shall die' Tis a land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, where we'll never grow old In a land where we'll never grow old Never grow old, where we'll never grow old In a land where we'll never grow old
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